Amazon is set to invest £40 billion into the United Kingdom over the coming three years. The extensive investment will fund the construction of four new, cutting-edge fulfilment centres, alongside substantial upgrades and expansions to Amazon’s existing network of facilities throughout the country.
These new fulfilment centres, located in strategic areas such as Hull, Northampton, and the East Midlands, are expected to create around 2,000 permanent jobs each, substantially increasing Amazon’s UK workforce to over 80,000 employees.
Notably, the majority of these roles will be based outside London and the South East, showing Amazon’s dedication to promoting economic growth and employment opportunities across various regions.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the announcement, describing it as “a massive vote of confidence in the UK as the best place to do business.” He emphasised that the investment would provide “real opportunities for people in every corner of the country to build careers, learn new skills, and support their families.”
“Whether it’s cutting-edge AI or same-day delivery, this deal shows that our Plan for Change is working—bringing in investment, driving growth, and putting more money in people’s pockets,” Starmer added.
In addition to the fulfilment centres, Amazon plans to expand its corporate headquarters in East London by adding two new buildings, improve its transportation infrastructure across the UK, and redevelop Bray Film Studios in Berkshire—a historic site acquired by Amazon last year. This redevelopment will bolster the UK’s creative sector, supporting the production of original content.
A big portion of Amazon’s investment will also boost its cloud computing and artificial intelligence capabilities within the UK. This builds on a previously announced five-year, £8 billion plan to establish and operate data centres designed to increase AI computing power and support the digital transformation of businesses nationwide. The expansion of this infrastructure is expected to accelerate innovation and facilitate the adoption of AI technologies across industries.
The timing of this announcement is crucial, as the UK economy recently faced a 0.3% contraction in monthly GDP in April 2025, influenced by international trade tensions and domestic tax increases. The Labour government, which took office in 2024, has prioritised attracting foreign direct investment and stimulating economic growth, with Amazon’s commitment viewed as a strong endorsement of these policies.
However, this investment comes amid ongoing discussions about the UK’s business climate, particularly concerning recent tax rises introduced by Finance Minister Rachel Reeves. Some technology entrepreneurs have expressed concerns that these fiscal measures may deter high-growth startups, despite the influx of capital from established global companies like Amazon and TikTok, with the latter having recently announced a major new office in London’s Barbican district.